1. Social Networking

Networking, whether one-on-one or via the Web, is the consistent, go-to resource to successful volunteer sourcing. If you don’t already have a social media presence already, create Facebook and Twitter accounts for your organization. When looking for volunteers using Facebook, post information that include keywords such as: Charity, Fundraiser, Volunteer, Community Service, and other similar terms. You can also post in public Facebook groups to optimize the number of people viewing your posts. When looking for volunteers using Twitter, use hashtags, which are topic-specific keywords that help your potential volunteers search for information on things they’re interested in. Using social media networking is a great way to create awareness about your cause, and cultivate volunteers for your charity fundraisers.

2. Document and Exhibit Accomplishments

Show off awards or any other documented achievements that would be appealing to potential volunteers. Also, prominently promote the volunteer opportunities your organization has to offer. This will make it clear you’re looking for volunteers, encouraging volunteers to join your fundraising team.

3. Participate in Recruitment Conventions

Visit local high schools and colleges, and give an informational talk about your organization. Make sure to give the students ideas about how they might be able to contribute as a volunteers, and what they could gain from the experience at your organization. You can also set up stands at local fairs and music festivals to help recruit volunteers and spread the word about the work you do for the community.

4. Advertise Your Organization Locally

Make flyers advertising your interest in finding volunteers, and post them in public places. You can post these flyers in coffee shops, grocery stores, local retail stores, parks and many other venues. You should post your flyers anywhere where they will be available to the eye of the public — your potential volunteers!

5. Promote the Benefits to Volunteering

If you have some funds budgeted for finding new volunteers, consider throwing a party, a meet-and-greet or some other type of small gathering, so the people who might be interested in volunteering can meet you and the rest of your team. Potential volunteers will see the community you’ve developed and have an opportunity to learn about the opportunities you have available in a more casual meeting.

By Michael Kuznetsov, Charity Fundraising Intern

1) Make sure your silent auction table is sufficiently illuminated, and be sure to provide a proper microphone and sound system to promote the auction items up for bid. These aspects are basic, yet crucial components to a successful auction. Don’t forget to complete the necessary sound and lighting checks before the day of your event!

2) Be sure to enlist plenty of volunteers to manage and draw attention to your auction. It’s important that your volunteers are knowledgeable about your auction items, so they can answer any questions your guests may have. For a live auction, consider hiring a professional auctioneer. The right live auctioneer will be able to effectively read your crowd and entice bidding. He or she will also ensure your live auction is an enjoyable and memorable experience for all your guests.

3) Setup your silent auction in an area that’s expected to receive a large amount of foot traffic. This ensures your guests will know where the auction is, which is especially important at a golf fundraiser, since the auction won’t be the only activity taking place at your event. Display your auction items prominently in this area, so potential bidders can clearly see what items you have to offer.

4)  In order to help to promote an auction, big-ticket items should be used to advertise your event. Promoting with your items will help increase attendance, since big-ticket items can attract a large crowd! It also helps if a list of items being sold is handed out at the entrance prior to the auction starting.

5)  Lastly, make your auction exciting! There should be an increase in the value of your auction items as the event progresses. Keep your level of excitement high, and sure enough, high bids will follow.

For help planning your next golf auction fundraiser, contact A. S. Charity Fundraising at (888) 232-2500 or info@ascharityfundraising.com.

By Chris Barry, Charity Fundraising Intern

One of our coolest pieces is our Limited Edition poster from this year’s hottest film: “The Great Gastby.” This piece from the film that just opened in theaters nationwide is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel of the same name, and was co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as millionaire Jay Gatsby, and Tobey Maguire as Gatsby’s neighbor Nick Carraway, and our auction item features autographs from an incredible nine cast members!

This brand new poster is signed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Baz Luhrmann, Tobey Maguire, Jay Z, Carey Mulligan, Amitabh Bachchan, Isla Fisher, Joel Edgerton and Adelaide Clemens.

Another one of our awesome, best-selling auction items is a poster from “Django Unchained,” which was nominated for five Academy Awards this year, including Best Picture! Set in the antebellum era of the Deep South and Old West, this is writer and director Quentin Tarantino’s highest grossing film to date.

This piece features the signatures of Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington and Don Johnson.

Nominated for 12 Academy Awards, the movie “Lincoln” was a huge box office success. Check out this incredible piece of autographed memorabilia for charity, which features autographs from Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day Lewis, who won the “Best Actor” Oscar for his performance as Abraham Lincoln.

Our incredible Mini Movie Posters are going fast, so book yours for your next auction fundraiser while supplies last!

For help with your next auction fundraising event, contact A. S. Charity Fundraising at (888) 232-2500 or info@ascharityfundraising.com.

By Deandra Gomes, Charity Fundraising Assistant

A. S. Charity Fundraising is so proud to have played a role in creating awareness for MS in the Columbus area, and we are so pleased to have been a part of this exciting event for such a great cause.

Take a look at our letter from Kristin Doty, sales and marketing manager at McCasky’s Grille:

If you have an auction event or fundraiser coming up and need cool memorabilia items and travel and experience packages, we’d love to help you, too! Give us a call today at (888) 232-2500 to speak with one of our helpful charity fundraising specialists.

By Deandra Gomes, Charity Fundraising Assistant

Just a few short weeks ago, A. S. Charity Fundraising’s Heller Pool, left the snowy Northeast behind and headed for sunny Florida to help with the Leta Lindley Prader-Wili Classic held at the PGA National Resort & Spa. Held during the weekend of January 18-19, 2013, the event was a huge success, and fundraising items from A. S. Charity Fundraising were a hit among the hundreds of attendees. Pool and the team at A. S. Charity Fundraising couldn’t be more pleased our charity auction items helped contribute to the organization’s mission to find a cure and effective treatment for Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).

PWS is the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children. Approximately one in 10,000 babies is born with PWS, and the disorder occurs in males and females equally and in all races. PWS typically causes low muscle tone, short stature if not treated with growth hormones, incomplete sexual development, and a chronic feeling of hunger that, coupled with a metabolism that utilizes drastically fewer calories that normally can lead to excessive eating and obesity.

Enjoying a hands-on approach to helping plan and provide fundraising items to this year’s event, Pool truly enjoyed her week in the Sunshine State.
“It was so amazing to see everyone come together to plan this event,” Pool said. “I was so honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of this fundraiser! It’s incredibly rewarding to see how much can be done when you put your mind to doing something good for the larger community.”

This year, The Prader-Willi Classic was held in honor of Josilyn Faith Levine and Harold Wilkinson IV, and took place in conjunction with the 9th Annual Pro-Am Tournament. All the proceeds generated by this extremely successful event were used to fund The Prader-Willi Research Fellowship at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla.

The season for golf tournaments is upon us, so if you need help with charity auction items for your next golf tourney or other fundraising event, contact one of A. S. Charity Fundraising’s helpful specialists today at (888) 232-2500 or info@ascharityfundraising.com. We also invite you to visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest to keep up with the many incredible causes A. S. Charity Fundraising supports.

By Deandra Gomes, Charity Fundraising Assistant

Name:

In May 2011, Devin Noonan joined the A. S. Charity Fundraising team as an intern, and he’s been quick to move up the ranks within our organization. Shortly after his internship, Devin took charge of our online networking presence and became our Social Media Coordinator before his promotion to Charity Fundraising Assistant in August 2012. This past December, Devin was named our newest Charity Fundraising Specialist, and has already made a huge impact for our charity partners.

“Working at A. S. Charity Fundraising has been an extremely rewarding experience,” Noonan said. “Our charity partners are blazing the philanthropic trail with their fundraising efforts, and I’m just happy that I can contribute to their success. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to take on numerous roles since I first came on board, and it’s been an incredible learning experience for me.”

Devin’s interest in fundraising started through his work with Kiwanis and the National Honors Society in high school, setting up local fundraising events for his peers. His involvement continued during his time at Rutgers University, where he became a leading member of Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity. As president, he served on the Interfraternity Council and eventually joined their governing board in an effort to promote unity, scholarship and service to thousands of students. Just because his education is finished for now does not mean that he’s lost his strong desire to give back.

“My grandfather is a past New York State President of the ELKS, so I’ll be joining their ranks and helping their fundraising efforts very soon,” Noonan said. “At the moment, I’ve focused my efforts on supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society on behalf of my stepfather, who was recently diagnosed with MS.”

The widespread reach of A. S. Charity Fundraising‘s program is what really truly helps fuel Devin’s passion for philanthropy.

“Now more than ever, I see so many causes around the world in dire need of support and awareness,” Noonan said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to do my part by helping our charity partners do theirs.”

In his free time Devin enjoys golfing, cooking, spending an evening out to dinner or a show, and writing as a featured NFL columnist for Bleacher Report.

If you need help with your next auction fundraising event, contact our newest Charity Fundraising Specialist, Devin Noonan, at (888) 232-2500, ext. 107 or devinn@ascharityfundraising.com.

By Deandra Gomes, Charity Fundraising Assistant

While last night’s Academy Awards had some big winners, last week A. S. Charity Fundraising had multiple contestants win awesome fundraising items during our 3rd Annual Oscar Trivia Contest! Every day last week, we posted a question on Facebook, allowing our fans to participate and score autographed memorabilia for their charity and fundraising events. It was a huge success and the feedback we’ve received has been fantastic — thank you to all who participated in the contest, and here’s a big congratulations to our very lucky winners!

And, the A. S. Charity Fundraising winners were:

1. Erin Wheeler Boyle, who was the winner of a cast-autographed movie poster from “The Godfather,” a film that previously won three Oscars.

2. Jason Smith, the winner of an autographed photo of Adele, who won the Oscar for “Original Song” for her song “Skyfall.”

3. Chris Dodd, winning an autographed photo of Daniel Day Lewis from “Lincoln,” who received the Oscar for “Best Actor.”

4. Ashlee Johnson, the lucky winner of an autographed photo of Anne Hathaway, the winner of this year’s Oscar for “Best Supporting Actress” for her performance in “Les Miserables.”

5. Josh Payton, who won an autographed photo of Jamie Foxx from Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” which won the Oscar for the “Best Original Screenplay.”

And the big winners from the Academy Awards were:

1. Best Picture: “Argo.”

2. Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln.”

3. Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook.”

4. Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Django Unchained.”

5. Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, “Les Miserables.”

6. Best Director: Ang Lee, “Life of Pi.”

For those who didn’t get the chance to win this time around, stay tuned for our exciting contests and your chance to win cool prizes again soon. Don’t forget to follow A. S. Charity Fundraising on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest to keep up with our fundraising ideas for your next charity auctions and events!

By Deandra Gomes, Charity Fundraising Assistant

It’s finally here: the Oscar Trivia Contest begins TODAY and now is your chance to win cool fundraising items from A. S. Charity Fundraising! With just a week to go before the 85th Academy Awards this Sunday, stay tuned and find out how to win exciting prizes from us.

For full access all you have to do is “Like” our Facebook page and keep up with our daily Oscar Trivia. The first correct answer to each question WINS. There will be a prize a day from today, February 18, through Friday, February 22, so attempt as many as you can! You saw our practice questions, now here is the chance for you to win BIG and score items for your next fundraising auction or charity event!

Check our Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest for more updates throughout the week. We can’t wait for your feedback!

So, here’s the deal for this year’s competition…

Simply log into Facebook and “Like” A. S. Charity Fundraising’s page, for full access to the Oscar Trivia Contest. Then, starting Monday morning, look out for our daily questions. Remember, the first to “Comment” on each day’s trivia question with the correct answer will win that day’s cool fundraising items. You have the opportunity to win our fundraising giveaway every day of the week, and there’s no limit to the number of questions you can answer. We’ll be posting updates on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest too, so don’t forget to check back with all our pages, to see what we’re up to and to learn how you can score our free items for your next fundraiser.

Last year, our contest was a huge success, and the race to answer questions correctly was close every time — just milliseconds between winners and runners up! Who will score our original autographed fundraising items this year? Share this link to our blog on your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ pages and get your friends to take part in the guessing game — don’t let them miss out!

PS: Don’t forget, you have to “Like” A. S. Charity Fundraising on Facebook to participate in our Oscar Trivia Contest. Start getting ready for the trivia by polishing up on your Oscar nominee knowledge and look forward to our questions!

By Deandra Gomes, Charity Fundraising Assistant

This Thanksgiving, we ask that you remember all those on the East Coast who were recently affected by Hurricane Sandy. Many families have lost everything, and some will never even be able to rebuild along the coast. In the wake of this disaster, we ask that you make an effort to raise money for charity, or simply donate clothes and food to those who truly need it now more than ever. After all, that’s part of the spirit of giving that goes hand in hand with the holiday season.

Our team here at A. S. Charity Fundraising was fortunate to have suffered only superficial damage in the aftermath of Sandy, and we have plenty to be thankful for this time of year. We’d like to take this time to thank all of our amazing charity partners who have been working tirelessly to make this world a better place for all. It’s people like you who fuel our efforts on a daily basis and truly make a difference. We wish you all the best this Thanksgiving and hope you have the opportunity to spend some quality time surrounded by family, friends and food!

By Devin Noonan, Charity Fundraising Assistant